Last Thursday was a day for me to remember. Unique Gallery hosted my exhibition. My first showing in approximately 5-6 years. In the beginning I didn't know what to expect. I have been living in Grande Prairie under the rocks and in the shadows for all these years and scared to see the reception that I would receive.
Since last Novemeber, when I started producing again, I have slowly submerged myself into the Grande Prairie Art Scene. And some might laugh when I say "art scene", but the truth is...there is. Perhaps it just isn't getting the exposure that it deserves. But, I also think that this group of skilled and modest artist sit back and watch. Only getting involved when a showing is involved.
"Once Upon a Still Life", in my opinion, was a complete success for me. So many elements of the night made it a success. The people. The laughs. The creative conversations. Emerging talent coming out. And the support that I felt throughout the evening.
I want to thank everyone that came and all the encouraging words.
As this show ends, I prepare for the next. The Centre for Creative Arts will be the hosting venue for another solo exhibit in the fall. Finding the path for these works are still to be determined. But, something different might be the answer.

The staff and the group from the Centre for Creative Arts are finally home. The last stand to getting back into the facility was a little stressful, but all prevailed and within a couple weeks of getting in...a show was revealed.
The architecture continues to echo the history of the building from the outside and some from within. Walls have been removed, an elevator installed for all access, some heavy upgrades and they are ready for business.
The Centre is looking forward to what they can offer and how they can impact the arts in the community with the new building. I look forward to seeing the growth that is going to come with it. The support for the arts was very evident through the Jim Stokes show. Supporting the exhibition came approximately 150-200 smiling faces and not a single negative response to the evening.
And our new era begins.

I just wanted to throw out a quick reminder to anyone interested in the Prairie Art Gallery Auction. I heard that there were so many pieces donated to support the gallery that they had to go through a jury system. This is really encouraging to know that the support of the arts is still here in Grande Prairie.
I want to thank anyone that did donate, whether your piece got into the fundraiser or not. We are a big group of people that enjoy what we do and want to see it continue. To the people that are attending tonight, we can't forget the people that aren't there. As a group we will grow bigger, strong, and bring the recognition we deserve as a strong passionate community.

Well, May 6 isn't that far away anymore. Matt Ediger was kind enough to come over and help with a couple photos. He mentioned the words "holy" a few times as he waded through all the drawings and paintings lying around. Eventhough, I am still producing with the show in mind, I find myself weeding out the older pieces. I hope that everyone can show up for this and laugh at me as I panic. It's been a while where I have been this excited to have an opening.
http://danarberry.ca/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/IMG_9958-600.jpg

With 34 people showing up to this event, I looked around to discover that everyone attending are people that that have established themselves from every discipline. The arts as a whole; theatre, visual, music, and even radio, there to share their support for what is about to happen. The purpose, to help merge all independent groups and to have a common voice and what I am to believe a common goal.
Perhaps this is the group that is going to bring our talented community and region together. And so far, I am encouraged. Representation from many groups including the County of Grande Prairie, The City of Grande Prairie, Grande Prairie Regional College, Art of the Peace Magazine, Centre for Creative Arts, Fairview, A couple Economic Development Groups, The Museum, The River of Death Museum...just to name a few. I know I missed a couple and I am sorry if I didn't mention your group. The point to this is to say that we have some very well developed groups being apart of this. And now, anxious to see what is going to happen from this.

I thought that I would throw a quick note out there for anyone interested in going to an opening. The GP Photo Club has a new show to exhibite all the work that they have been doing. I had a quick run through the other night and it looks interesting.
As well, there isn't going to be an opening for another show at the same time, however in that quick pass through, I wanted to see more.. A piece from Ed Bader got my attention. This exhibition is actually put together with a theme and based on local artist on the Peace for the Arctic Winter Games. Unfortunately, I could stay for long...so you know where you will find me tonight.

Over the past few months, Jim has been finishing up pieces for this opening. And being apart of the talks before and during the production and finally to see the results are amazing. I told him, "its a shame that I need to go to Edmonton see the fruits of your labor." But, so worth it. They look so different after being in the studio. Presenting in the fashion and care the gallery does.
As this show finalizes, a new one is created. And now, only 2 to go for Jim. And I can't wait to see them, too. Congradulations.

Getting up at 6 in the morning and on my way to Edmonton to enjoy a day of art. Art Gallery of Alberta has now officially opened and they didn't disappoint me. Eventhough, the negative words are still circulating because the money was spent on revitalizing a battered culture component and not being spent on another arena or parking lot.
It reminded me of my travels in Europe and the spaces being used. It was rejuvenating to see a line up to get in, which I was more than willing to stand in. And once in, a crowd of people already in the gallery. All ages weaving inside and around all the pieces and sculptures. It was good to see and a fantastic experience to have someone approach me to see if I had questions.
To be able to walk into one venue and be able to see Goya, Degas, and Cardiff in one spot...sign me up...I want to go again. The simplicities of life at our fingers, yet sometimes they feel so far away.
Enough said. Just go, you won't regret it...not even a little bit.

Well, the workshop has come and gone. After 2 months of preparing for this event...and now it is over. In a sense, a little disappointed to see it go. But, it was such a fantastic thing to be apart of. I want to stretch out a big thank you to Jim Stokes for helping this and being a part of the process and the experience. I once again learn in class even though I am helping in the instruction.
Caught up in the experience of art and the process of making art, we were blessed to have 8 fantastic and eager people. My only question to them is if they were as tired as I was in the end and if it was worth it? As tired as I am, I would do it all over again. Who's next? I'm ready.

I just received this yesterday, but I wanted to make sure that everyone knows about this. Robin is actually from Grande Prairie and a graduate from our college before heading to Calgary and ACAD. I know this because I had a studio space beside her in college.
As well, Kate, which I believe might be her first show. Over the past few years has been a photographer going primarily into weddings, but I don't want to stereotype her. The images that she creates are fresh and provoking and love her work.
And Bev, who I don't know personally have followed a bit of her career. And the show that she is talking about tonight, War Brides, I have heard is something not to miss.
Hope to see everyone there.
Dan

Thursday, February 18th, 2010 at 7:30 pm

Today was a good day for me. While checking my emails in the breeze of the Dominican Republic, I was excited to receive a message indicating that the Board has accepted my application to the Centre for Creative Arts.
As an artist and someone very passonate about the arts I hope to help bring the arts back to our community. Over the past few years, we have had our feet slip with the economic pressures and it is understandable. But, lets all help find the appreciation in the arts and the reason for it again. Helping others discover the arts and helping them understand. Lets welcome this into our homes, our schools and create something that we can be proud of.
I look forward to all the challenges ahead and the events of the future in a search to help my community and arts community.

Here is the supply list for class. If there are any other materials you will be interested in trying, feel free to bring them. However, this is what we ask you to bring, everything else is extra.
Newsprint- 50 sheet roll (available at the college bookstore for about $5.00),6-7 sheets of white cover stock paper (available at the college bookstore for approx. $1.25 each),Charcoal pencil,Graphite pencil or sticks (HB, 6B),2 bulldog clips,Bagged lunch. Coffee will be available. Yes, we are saying bagged lunch becaue of the time. We are going to class and there will only be 30 minutes before the drawing starts again. It will be busy, so any other drinks that you will want to have throughout the day we recommend you bring as well. The idea from Jim Stokes and myself is to give you as much information as we can in a short amount of time. And to have fun doing it.

So, as I have mentioned before, Friday there was an opening at PAG, http://prairiegallery.com/exhibitions/current/. If you didn't get a chance to go to the opening, make the time to go and see this exhibition. I got the oppertunity to go early, before the rush of people, to observe and interact with all the pieces.
The different elements involved and thought provoking idea of traditional and contempory arts make themselves known. The size and ability to change the model leads many interesting oppertunities.
Its easier just to say to go...and enjoy.

A couple openings for this fantastic Friday evening if anyone interested. The Centre for Creative Arts has an opening for the Janet Enfieldand the past and present students she has instructed. http://creativecentre.ca/whats-happening
The second is over at the Prairie Art Gallery, www.prairiegallery.com/exhibitions/current. A Montreal based artist that treads on contemporary art through mechanical mediums. I got to the gallery this week, but they were still installing it. And enplained to me from the front as "machines that draw on the walls, real fun." So, I guess that it...I'm going.

There were a couple complications with the dates for the Figurative Workshop. We have moved it a week sooner to February 20, 2010. I appoligize to anyone where this might have turned into a inconvience.
I look forward to seeing everyone there. Supplies list to follow soon. Finalizing a couple things.

I want to take this opportunity to give you a quick update about the new “Figurative Workshop.” Jim Stokes and I will be leading this new program with high hopes to answering questions and giving a foundation to developing skills.
Saturday, February 27th, 2010 has been the date set, so mark it on your calendars. It will be a full day, starting at 10 and ending around 4. We are going to try and develop the class with knowledge of history in figure subjects with a basic and intermediate skill set. After a brown bag lunch, we will introduce a model and begin practising what we have learned.
The cost of the workshop is $100. The only drawback from this is class size, 15 is the maximum number. However, with sizing we won’t lose hands on approach and the developing goal that we have set for ourselves with 2 instructors.
At this point I would like to welcome questions from anyone. I would also like to invite you to forward this to people you think might be interested.
Jim and I are eager to help those interested and willing regardless of what level a person practises at. And look forward to developing traditional art and art awareness in our community.

With the New Year quickly approaching, we are preparing for a new group of drawing classes. I will be instructing a Kids, Beginner, and Intermediate. As well, there has been alot of questions and interest in figure drawing. So, myself and another local artist, will be constructing one day workshops based on the figure and portrait drawing with a detail to composition.
I want to encourage anyone with questions or those individuals out there that always wanted to learn how to just contact me. I am more than willing to help wherever I can.
We want to make sure that there is a foundation in the Figure Workshop, with the oppertunity for people to come back more than once and to grow the skill of seeing.